Planning first planted tank...

[krash]

I got a 29 gallon tank to replace my 20 gallon, so I will have room for more girly bettas. I want to use real plants, and will need a fair amount to provide adequate hiding places/escape routes. I don't intend to upgrade the lighting much - planning on saving that expense for when I get a "big" tank. So I need low-light beginner plants.

Here's my plan, feel free to critique, add suggestions, etc. If any of these are sure to die without special care and additional lighting I'd really like to know now rather than later....

Java fern -> I already have 4 or 5 small (4-5") ones.
Anubias nana -> 2-3
Java lace fern -> 2-3
Cryptocoryne sprialis -> 4
Cryptocoryne wendtii -> 2
Hornwort -> 1-2
Wisteria -> 2
Dwarf sag -> 10
Java moss -> 1 clump (to grow on some flat rocks)

Thanks,
Stacey

 

[George Farmer]

You have a good choice of easy low-light plants to start with there. One possible exception is wisteria (Hygrophila difformis) which prefers higher light. Might still be ok though.

One other point is that Crypts prefer a nutrient-rich substrate. You may need to add some sort of substrate fert tablets to get them growing well.

What lighting do you actually have? I recommend reflectors if you don't have them already.

 

[krash]

Thanks for the response! I've revised the list a little after doing some more reading. Removing the wisteria and the hornwort, adding Crypt Lutea. Any recommendations for the type of fertilizer I will need to add?

Current lighting is a single 30" 20 watt flourescent, which I know is inadequate. That's all the hood that came with the aquarium will accomodate. Will adding reflectors be necessary even for the low-light plants? Given that I have less than 1 watt per gallon should I just bag the idea and stock up on silk plants until I can afford to upgrade?

Thanks again,
Stacey

 

[qwikimpss]

I'm wondering the same thing pretty much, i've started doing research for my 29 which I wanna plant, i just dont know about what i NEED and what i dont to keep easy low light plants for now to start with, i dont know what tests kits i'll need, what stuff i'll need for dosing...etc, a lot more research required!

 

[zig]

Useing a proper reflector for your light is the cheapest way to upgrade your lighting, and yes even with low light plants it will help, adding the reflector would probably bring your lighting up to 1WPG.

 

[krash]

OK, so I should be able to line the current hood with mylar to increase WPG, yes? Is there something special about the mylar on a roll made for hydroponics, or can I use one of those mylar blankets or even cut up a mylar balloon?